Okay, so the year has not yet concluded, but I’m already thinking of the books I’ve enjoyed and/or benefited from this year.  Since I love reading other peoples’ lists of favorite books, I thought I’d compile my own.  Some of these are not new, many have little to do with coaching, and others may be of little interest to anyone else but, hey, it’s my list, so here goes.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
This is by far the best, most impactful book I read in 2018, though I must admit that my appreciation of the book stems in large measure from having listened to Dr. Peterson’s lecture series on the book of Genesis (YouTube).  The simplicity and practicality of the book is matched by the profound way in which Peterson shares.

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff
When you raise a child in a way that protects them not just from harm but from challenge, you get a young adult that cannot (and will not) tolerate people or ideas they find challenging.  Haidt is one of my all-time favorite thinkers/writers and this book is an interesting, informative bombshell of a book that everyone should read.

Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Unchartered Territory by Tod Bolsinger
Bolsinger uses the Lewis and Clark expedition as a running metaphor for describing and understanding the situation faced by Christian clergy who were prepared to minister within Christendom and now find themselves off the map.

Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customer Will Listen by Donald Miller
Okay, so I love this book and the whole framework Miller presents.  This is marketing and branding made simple and story-based.  The key message for coaches: your client is the hero of the story (you are not).  I liked the book so much that I took Miller’s online workshop.  Absolutely great stuff.

Born to Build: How to Build a Startup, a Winning Team, New Customers and Your Best Life Imaginable by Jim Clifton
Okay, so this book has the longest and least helpful subtitle ever.  With the negative out of the way, I’ll say that this book is from the Gallup organization and includes a StrengthsFinder-like assessment for discovering your top talents for entrepreneur-like endeavors.  I appreciated the breakdown of what it takes to start something and how starting something is unlike other performance-related endeavors.

Getting Naked: A Business Fable about Shedding the Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty by Patrick Lencioni
I read this book several years ago and decided to re-read it this year.  Honestly, I find the book inspiring as much as informative.  What’s so inspiring?  The narrative account of what it’s like to serve as a consultant (coach!) while maintaining authenticity, integrity, and vulnerability.  I think it’s probably worth reading every 18 months.

Modern Times: The World from the Twenties to the Eighties by Paul Johnson
This was THE history book for decades and I decided to re-read it this year.  You might wonder why, but this is a history book that reads like a novel.  Johnson starts by showing how the eclipse of 1919 was the occasion that offered proof of Einstein’s theory of relativity and (perhaps) helped usher in post-modernity.

Defending the Undefendable by Walter Block
Every time a hurricane hits the East Coast, some well-meaning and economically-confused governor condemns “price gouging.”  This book makes the case that price gougers are helping, not hurting and makes a similar case for blackmailers, ticket scalpers, pimps, and child labor employers.  The book is an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of freedom, free markets, and lack of coercion.

That’s my list.  What’s your list?  Leave your favorite book(s) in the comment section below.